Fodor's may use your email address to send you relevant information on site updates, account changes, and offers. For more information about your privacy and protection, please review our full Privacy Policy.

Time needed at Newark Airport to clear customs and make a connecting flight

Hi all,
Due to a schedule change at Continental, I now have 1 hour 55 minutes to clear customs and immigration and make a connecting flight to Boston. The route is London to Newark to Boston, all on Continental. Do you think that is enough time if the London flight lands on time and the baggage comes down in the usual amount of time. Do I have to go through security at Newark, or will I be in a secure area during the necessary customs and immigration procedures?

Yes, since you are coming from Europe and must clear customs, though the baggage can be handed off.

When we've done this from France and Netherlands via Continental we've had to leave the building and then pass thru security again. I noticed that the first security checkpoint is much more crowded since most everyone coming out of international customs goes there. Even with Elite status, allowing us to in theory get in a shorter line, it still took a long time.

By going down one more entrance you can often find shorter lines at security.

Regardless, going thru customs and then security will eat up much of the 1:55 but you should still have time unless your incoming flight was delayed.

As an US citizen, it generally takes an hour from door open on first flight to get to gate for 2nd. Including immigration, baggage claim, customs, security. With no extracurricular activities or secondary checks.

Your flight from London may arrive at either terminal B or C. Same process, except if it's B, you need to take the AirTrain back over to C.

Yes, you have enough time, and keep in mind that CO has 11x daily flights EWR-BOS. If you miss your connection, you'll be put on next one.